Disposable immersion-type thermocouple



Nov. 29, 1966 H w. PERRIN ETAL 3,288,654

DISPOSABLE IMMERSION-TYPE THERMOCOUFLE Filed June 19, 1962 IN VEN TOR HOWARD W. PERRIN JOSEPH D. SINE I E N R O W A 3 2&8 654 DISHOSAELE HMMEERSiUFJ-TYPE THERMCOUPLE Hewarafl W, Perrin, Wiziaires-Earre, and .Foseph D. Sine,

Seilersviile, Pa; sadi Sine assigner t H0neyweil Inc.

a coxporatian 013 Delaware Fiied Inne 19, 1962, Sex. N0. 203,607 9 Claims. (CH. 136-234) A general object 0f the present invention is to provide an. inexpensive and disposable immersion-type thermocouple for measuring the temperature of bot fluids such as molten stee1.

The therrnocouple of the present invention Es especially adapted for use in the measurement of"rn0hen stee1 temperatures in open hearths, basic oxygen, or electric mehing furnaces. Such temperature measurernents are made by immersing the measuring or h0t junction of the thermocoupie in the bath cf moiten metal and allowing it to remain for several seconds until the thermocouple reaches the temperature of the bath. Due to the high temperature and the nature of the molten steel including the preserxce of slag, it has been found desirable to use a new thermocouple for each measurement. The thermocoupie is discarded after the immersion and replaced by a new thermocouple in Order to achieve, for each reading, new-therrnoeouple accuracy. Thus, for each reading, the thermocouple is new, properly annealed and uncontaminated by handling or use. This avoids errors in rneasurement which tend t0 result frorn changes of calibration througn contarnination of the thermocouple and which, in the prior art, required frequent checking for accuracy. Additionally, since the immersed parts, according to the present invention, are thrown away after each measurement, there are n0 skulls or slag 011 the thermocouple to contend With; no checking is required; and n0 tberrnocouple repair facilities are needed.

A specific object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, disposable immersiontype therrnocouple which is light in weight, easy to handle, and affords fast, accurate and dependable temperature measurement.

A rn0re specific object of the present invention is to provide such an immersion-type therxnocouple assembly in which, after each measurernent, the used thermocouple unit may be easily and quickly discarded and also easily and quickly rep1aced by a new thermocouple unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide an immersion-type thermocoupie assembiy in which a disposable thermocouple unit is supported at the end of a lance er manipulator in any angular position by a straight-through rugged connection requiring no keying.

Another object of the invention is to provide an immersion-type thermocouple assernbly characterized in that immersion in the malten metal of the connector section betw-een the therrnocouple unit and 1ance is not required. This affords desirabie protection of the ]ance and the connector section against the excessive heat of the molten metal.

A still further object of the present invention is to p1'0 Vide an immersion-type thermocouple assernbly in which the lance 0r manipulator includes a nove1 evacuated immer stee1 tube and extension wire sub-assembly. This inner steel tube seals the extension wire assernbly from the atmosphere and eliminates or substantiaily minimizes the tendency inherent in known prior art constructions for rnoisture and carbonization to short out the extension or lead wires and thus eause inaccuracy in the measurement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an immersion-type thermocouple including a novel refractory heat sink construction for the sensitive thermocouple element.

A better understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

3,288654 Patente Nov. 29, 1965 iee FIG. 1 is an elevational view, partly sectioned, cf a preferred embodirnent of the disposable immersion-type therrnocouple unit and lance assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view, in section, of the thermocouple unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the male connector at the end of the lance of the therrnocouple assernbly 0f FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the sealed inner tube and extension wire sub-assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the manner 0f placing the improved immersion thermocouple assembly in operative rneasuring position in a bath of malten metal.

The preferred embodirnent of the immersion thermocouple assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a lance er manipulator section or unit 1 and a disposable, plug-in temperature sensing section or unit 2. The lance section 1 rnay be of any desired length for use in measuring the temperature of molten metal in a furnace. In an operative embodiment, the lance section 1 is several feet long and is made up of a /4" stainless steel pipe section 3 and an iron pipe section 3 which are threaded at their ends and joined together by a pipe coupling member 4 Which is tapered, as shown, for a purpose hereinafter described. The end 0f the lance 1 remote from the thermocouple unit 2 is provided With a handle or grip 5 which anguiarly extends to one side for facilitating the use of the assembiy by an operator. Also at this end of the lance 1 is a bushing 6 through which one end of the electrical cable 7 passes. The other end of the cable 7 is provided with a suitable connector 8 for connection of the thermocouple to a suita'ole recorder which may be of the type disclosed in the Wills Patent 2,423540, issued July 8, 1947, and assigned to one of the assignees of the present invention.

The electrical cable 7 is encased in suitable insulation which rnay be rubber or plastic in accordance with good electrical practice in the art extending between the connector 8 and an extension Wire sub-assembly, as shown in FIG. 4, and contained within the lance section l.

Specificaily, the cable 7 is connected through bushing 6 to one end of extensicn wires 9 and 10 w'nich are cantained Within the said sub-assembly. Wires 9 and 10 are insuiated frorn each other through the length cf the lance section 1 by means of individual insulating sleeves such, for exarnple, as two-hole, hard fired cerarnic insuiators 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the two-hole ceramic insulators 12 and the extension lead wires 9 and 10 supported thereby Within the 'iance section l, are contained in a thin Wall steel tube 11 which is partially evacuatecl and gealed. The tube 11 is suitably supported within the stainless steel tube 3 by means of spaced rings on the tube 11. The steel tube 11 is sealed at each end by epoxy connectors 13 and 14 which are molded on t0 the ends of tube 11 after the ceramic insulators 12 and lead wires 9 and 10 have been properly positioned thereirr Screw terminals 15 and 16 are provided 0n each of these molded connectors 13 and 14 for connection of the lead wires 9 and 10 at one end t0 the cable 7 and at the other end t0 a male c0nnector 23 for connection to the thermocouple unit 2. It has been found that the inner steel tube 11 and the extension or lead wire assembiy eliminates or substantially minimizes rnoisture and carbonization effects which iend to short out the extension 0r lead wires. Such difficuities Were summen with prior art extension or lead wire assernblies. By virtue of the elimination or minimization of these prob- 1ems, there has been effected a substantial reduclion in rnaintenance and replacernent costs as well as substantial improvement in accuracy and reliability.

The connection cf the extension or lead wires 9 or 19 to the cable 7, through the bushing 6, is accomplished by conneetion of the cable wires 17 and 18 to sc rew terminals 15 or 16 which, in turn, are attached to the extension wires 9 and 10 through the epoxy connector 13. At the other end of the immer tube 11, the terminals and 16 are comnected by straight conductor bars 19 and 20 to the screw terminals 21 and 22 of the male pl-ug connector 23, as shown in FIG. 3. Bars 19 and 20 are of diiferent lengths to ensure connections of the proper polarity in the assemblage of the lance section.

The male connector 23, as seen in FIG. 3, comprises a molded base member 24 which is cylindrical in shape and desirably is made 0f an epoxy resin. Terminal members 25 and 26 to which the conductor bars 19 and 20 respectively are connected are molded in the base member 24, as is also an elongated plug member 27. The plug member 27 incl-udes separate conducting portions 28 and 29 which are insulated fr0m each other by suitable insulation shown at 30. An extension of portion 28 is electrically connected to the terminal member 25 of the male connector plug, and the conducting portion 29 is comnected to the terminal member 26.

As shown in FIG. 3, the base member 24 and male plug 27 of the connector are m0unted Within a metallic hausing 23' which is threaded for connection to an end of the iron pipe 3'. Member 24 and plug 27 are held in position in housing 23 by suitable set screws indicated at 31. The mounting of the male plug 27 Within the end of the housing 23' provides desirable protection of the male plug member 27 against mechanical damage. Additionally, in cooperation With the associated female connector of the thermocouple unit, the plug 27 and the housing 23' provide a rugged, straight-through connection in which the required electrical connection between the thermocouple and the recording instrument is made regardless of the relative angular positions of the lance and the disposable thermocouple unit.

T0 that end, the female connector of the disposable thermocouple unit consists of a cylindrical tube 32 which may be made frorn light weight expendable material such as fiberboard or cardboard. Tube 32 is coaxially disposed Within the end of a cylindrical tube 33 and is permanently and rigidly attached thereto by staples 33'. In the thermocouple unit 2, the extension er lead wires 34 and 35 frorn the sensitive thermocouple element 36 comprise flat ribbons of suitable cross section. These ribbons are disposed between the coaxially arranged tubes 32 and 33. The ends of the ribbons remote from the thermocouple element 36 are arranged at the end of the tube32 remote frorn the thermocouple to provide electrieal terminals for comnection by Way of the male plug member 27 and the extension or lead Wires 9 and 10 to the recording instrument. Specifically, the ribbon lead Wire 34 is Wrapped around the end 0f the tube 32, as shown, beingthreaded through holes 37 and 38 which are displaced substantially 90 apart. This provides a terminal for ribbon 34 at the end of tube 32 which embraces substantially a 90 sector. Similarly, the ribbon 35 may be wrapped around a portion of tube 32 spaced inwardly from the end thereof, and threaded through holes 39 and 40 to provide a second termin2il which also embraces substantially a 90 sector of the tube. The provision of terminals embraeing a substantial portion of the inner circumference of the tube 32 assures the establishment of good electrical contact upon insertion 0f the male connector 27 in the end 0f the tube 32. The portions of ribbons 34 and 35 011 the perijahery of tube 32 are insulated by pressure sensitive tape 34'.

When the plug 27 is inserted in the end of the tube 32, the housing 23 fits into the annular space between the outer surface of the tube 32 and the inner surface of an outer, protective, cylindrical fibreboard tube 41. With this arrangement there is provided a strong, rigid and rugged assembly which is particularly adapted for fast and easy connection and disconnection of thermocouple unit 2 to the lance section 1. This feature is practically important in the use of the immersion thermocouple in that after a measure 41 ment has been made, the used thermocouple unit may be easily and quickly discarded, and easily and quickly replaced by a new therrnocouple unit. The thermocouple unit 2 and the lance section 1 are readily mechanically and electrically connected regardless of the relative angular disposition of the sections about the longitudinal axis 0f the thermocouple assembly. These seetions are not only readily coupled together in any angular portion, but

When coupled, provide the required polarized electrical connection between the cooperating parts. Being deformable, the tube 32 and the terminals provided by the wrap around portions of the ribbons 34 and 35 provide, in cooperation With the plug 27, a tight friction grip and desired mechanical contact and a wiping action which results in good electrical contact.

The electro-meehanical connection of the mating comtacts of the pl=ug and of the fem-ale members remains firrn as l-ong as the thermoeouple seetion 2 and the lance section 1 remain coupled. T he con=struction is charaeterized, hovvever, as Will 'beeome apparent in the =further description of the improved immersion thermocouple of the present invention, in that the electro-mechanical comneetion may readily be broken after the desired measurement has been made and the used thermocouple disca-rded. This ean re-adi-ly be aceomplished by the Operator by catching the end of the outer cylindrical tube 41 on the opening or vviol et hole in the furnace, as seen in FIG. 5, to disengage the thermocouple unit 2 -from the male connector plu-g 27 and the lance section 1 as the lance is withdrawn from the fiurnace. Upon such disengagernent the thermocouple unit 2 and tube 41 which is attao'hed thereto fall back into the furnaee and are discarcled. There is no need, as is the case With prior art constructions, to vvait until the lance has eooled before removing and discarding the used thermocoup-le unit; nor is there any need *for the operator actually t0 touch the discarded thermocouple which -at such time ineludes charred and slag covered portions which are dirty and difficult to handle.

A further adrvantage inherent in the eonneetor arrangement provided between the thermoeou ple unit 2 and the 1a nce section 1 is that the resilience or flexibility for the electrioal connectors is in the disposable thermocouple unit-2. Making the resilient or flexible portion of the connection, provided by the flexibility of the fiberboard tube 32 and the wrap-around ribbons 34 and 35, an integral part of the disposable the-rmocouple unit 2 means that a new resilient, positive-contact flexible connection is available for each reading.

The outer cylindrioal tube 41 desirably also is made from light weight expendable material auch as fiberboard or cardboard and is coaxially disposed around the berbo-ard tube 33 of the thermocowple unit 2. As illustrated in FIG. 2, tubes 41 and 33 are permanently and rigidly attached 10 each other by staples 42 and 43. At its other end the tube 41 is arranged to slide over the tapered coupling 4 as shown in FIG. l. This arrangement serves completely to shield the iron pipe 3' and provides a rigid" thermoco:uple unit and lance assembly which is light in Weight and is easily handled by an operator. At the same time the assembly is rigid and strong and has tendency to whip around in the fiurn21ce chamber. This notwithstanding that the thenmoeouple assembly is very long in relation to its thickness or diameter. Additionally, tube 41 provides desirable protection for the eleetromechanical eonnection between the thermocouple unit and the lance section, and for the thermocouple extension or lead wires.

In the ernbodiment of the invention illustrated, the lance section is connected to the thermocouple unit at a distance app-roximately 22 -from the hot junction of the sensitive thermocouple 36. Consequently, the con nector seetion, including the pl-ug 27 and the associated fernale terminals, do not enter the molten metal in most applications. This provides desir-able pr0tcction fQI t male plug connector 27, for the extension wire sub-assembly and for the lance. An additional and important adv-a;ntage '0f this construction is a desirable reduction in the weight of the thermocouple asserrrbly which is perrnitted because 01: the shorter lance section required. The lance assernbly includes metallic pipe sections which are relatively heavy and therefore, the reduotion in the length of the lance makes possible an assembly which is rnnch -lighter in we-ight than is -found in the prior a-rt.

The temperature sensing section 44 of the thermocouple unit 2, as seen in FIG. 2 includes an electrical- 1y nonconducting or insulating body 45 which rnay be forrned from any suitable -insulating material or ceramic such as Saue-reisen cernent, and |a backing cylindrical disc 46 which may be made of a suitable plastic, for example, polystyrene. In the construction of the sensitive thermocouple element 44, the ribbons 34 and 35 are rn0lded in the plastic disc 46 and are connected to the respective ends of therrnoeouple elements 47 and 48. A substantial p0rti0n 0f the len-gths of elements 47 and 48 are in close thermal contact with the body 45 in which they are embedded. The therrnocouple elements 47 and 48 are joined together at their opposite ends to forrn a heat responsive or measurirng junc-tion indieated at 49. In one forn1 of the invention, the thermocou-ple elements 47 and 48 are composed respectively of platinum and platinurn rhodium. Other known thermocouple materials may be employed, as -desired. In order to provide a desirably high degree of accurac-y in the thermocouple measurement, the electrical conductors between the sensitive thermocouple elements 47 and 48 are made of s0-called compensating materials. Specifically, copper and copper nickel, respectively, ere employed for the rihbons 34 and 35, the plug rnembers 28 and 2 9, the conducting bars 19 and 20, the extension wires 9 and 10, and the cable wires 17 and 18. With this extension 0r lead wire combination, the tendency for inaccnracies to be introcluced into the thermocouple measurernent because of ambient temperature changes is eliminated or substantially minimized.

In order to provide fast response and maxirnum sensitivity, the therrnocouple elements 47 and 48 desira'bly are made very small in cross section, thereby redu-cing the mass to be heated. In the operative embodirnent 0f the invention illustrated, the thermocouple elements 47 and 48 are made of platinum and platinum rhodium, respectively, e-ach wire being of side .006" diameter.

In order to protect the delicate and sensitive thermocouple elements 47 and 48 from mechanical darnage in the use of the immersion therrnocouple, these elements 47 and 48 are enclosecl within a thin-walled U-shaped sheath 50 of heat refractory, electrically non-conducting material such as silica or quartz. The use of such material 0r equivalent is desirable in order to provide the necessary properties of being electrically-insulating as well as beattransmitting. Further to protect the sensitive thermocouple elements against damage in the use of the immersion thermocouple, there is provided a metal cap 51 which is rigidly secured to the body 45 of cement and forrns an integral part of thermocouple unit 2. The cap 51 serves to protect the sensitive thermocouple element from mechanical injury during shipment and handling; additionally, it protects the sensitive thermocouple elements from mechanical injury or contarnination due to the slag which normally is found floating on the top of the molten bath, such as rn0lten steel. When the thermocouple is pushed through the slag, the cap 51 enters the molten bath and is fused thereby to expose the sheathed hot junction 36 0f the therrnocouple. In order to insure a desired permanence in the attachment of the cap 51 to the body of cement 45, the cap 51 desirably is provided with an outwardly extending flange 51a at the lip thereof, which fiange is embedded in the cement 45, as shown.

The embedment of the sheath 50 and the protecting cap 51 in the body of cernent 45, as well as the lapping over of the cernent 45 along the end of fiberboard tube 33 as illustrated in FIG. 2 guards against the possibility of molten steel coming directly into contact with the sensi tive thermocouple wires 47 and 48 or the ribbon extension wires 34 and 35. Additionally, the heavy fiberboard sleeve 33 and the thickness of the cernent 45, as shown, provides desired heat insulation for the junctions of the thermocouple wires 47 and 48 and the ribbon comnectors 34 and 35. By suitable selection of the cross section of the thermocouple wires 47 and 48 in relation to the thickness of the cernent and the dimensions of the ribbon connectors 34 and 35, there is provided at the junction of the ribbons and the thermocouple wires a heat sink which avoids undesired temperature rise at the junctions of elements 47 and 48 and associated ribbons 34 and 35 by conduction of heat lengthwise of the thermocouple elements from the hat junction 49 and from along the length of the elements 47 and 48. Additionally, the ends of the arms of the sheath 50 project only a short distance into the cement 45, as shown, to minimize the sonduction of heat to said aforementioned junctions. Moreover, the close therrnal contact between the elements 47 and 48 and the cernent 45 in which they are embedded permits heat from the elements to be absorbed by the cement, thus further reducing the tendency for the said junctions to rise in temperature. This arrangement and proportioning of the arts provides a desired maximum sensitivity in the speed of response to the immersion thermocouple.

One way in which the immersion thermocouple of the present invention may be utilized is illustrated in FIG. 5. As there illustrated, the lance assernbly is shown inserted through the opening or wicket 52 of a furnace 53 comtaining a bath of molten metal, for example, steel, indicated at 54. Normally in the use of the immersion thermocouple, the end of the thermocouple assembly is immersed in the molten bath to a depth less than the length of the fiberboard tube 33. This assures the immersion of the sensitive thermocouple junction to depth suflicient to get below the slag to provide a true measurement of the bath temperature while at the sarne tirne having the connection between the lance and the thermocouple unit held out of the bath and protected from the heat by the heavy fiberboard tube 41. Further protection of that connection from the heat 0f the furnace is provided by placing a strip of tape 55 which may be ordinary electrical insulating tape to protect the connection from heat which otherwise might be transmitted by conduction through tube 33.

After taking the temperature reading, which ordinarily requires only a few seconds, the operator can catch the end of the fiberboard tube 41 on the edge of the wicket hole 52 and make the tube 41 which is stapled to the thermocouple unit 2 fall oft as he withdraws the lance from the furnace. The tube 41 and thermocouple unit 2 then fall into the furnace. A new thermocouple unit 2 may immediately be attached t0 the end 0f the lance section 1 in preparation for taking the next reading, either in the same furnace or in another one.

It Will be apparent from the foregoing description that there has been provided, according to the present invention, a novel disposable, immersion-type thermocouple providing maximum sensitivity and reliability, a desirable reduction in weight of the thermocouple unit and lance section requiring no keying and at the same time providing the proper electrical connection between the thermocouple unit and the lance section, and which also eliminates or substantially minimizes the tendency t0 undesirable short circuits from moisture condensation or carbonization in the extension 0r 1ead wire sub-assembly from the therrnocouple unit to the recording instrument.

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable temperature sensing device for measuring the temperature of molten fluid comprising a U- shaped, refractory electrically non-conductive sheath, a therrnoeouple comprising a pair of wires of dissimilar metals joined together in said sheath to forrn a hot junction, a fiberboard tube for supporting the thermocouple with the sheathed hat junction projecting beyond the end f the tube so as to be contacted by the molten fluid when immersed therein, a cylindrical disc positioned transversely -0f said tube near the end thereof from which said thermocouple hot junction proje-cts, electrical connectors molded in said disc and extending through said tube for connection of said thermocouple to a measuring instrument, a refractory, electrically non-conductive body filling the space between said disc and the said end of said tube With the ends cf said sheath embedded in and extending part way only into said body and With a portion of said therrnocouple wires and the junction of said thermocouple wires and said electrical conductors embedded in said body in close thermal contact therewith, whereby said body seals the end of said tube and serves also as a heat s1'nk for the portions of said thermocouple embedded in said body, a second fiberboard tube, the outer diameter of said second tube being approximately equal to the inner diame-ter of said first-rnentioned tube, said second tube being inserted in and permanently attached 10 the end of said first tube immersing said thermooouple with said oonduotor wires fitting between said tubes and the ends of said wires wrapped about said second -tube to provide longitudinally displaced terminals for said conductors on -the inner surface of said second tube.

2. A disp=osable temperature sensing device as specified in clain1 1 including a barrier at the end of said second tube facing said therrnooouple -to reduce the conduction of heat through said first tube to said terminals.

3. A disposable temperature sensing device as specified in claim 1 including a third fibreboard tube, the inner diameter of said third tube being approximately equal to the outer -diarneter of said first mentioned tube, with the end of said first tube remote frorn said thermocouple being inserted in and permanently attached to said third tube.

4. An immersion thermocouple assembly including the combination of a disposable temperature sen-sing device as specified in claim 1 and a manipulator for supporting and f01 connecting said sensing device t o a measuring instrument including a metal pipe, a coaxially disposed cylindrical plug member mounted at One end of said pipe and having separate longitudinally spaced electrical oontacts f01 mating With the terminals on said second tube, the diameter of said plug being approximately equal to the inner diameter 0f said second tube and the longitudinal spacing 05 said conta-cts being approxima=tely equal -to the longitudinal spacin-g of the terminals 011 the inner surface of said second tube.

5. An immersion thermocouple assembly as specified in claim 4 including a third fibreboard tube, the inner diameter of said third tube being approXimatelY equal the outer diameter of said first mentioned tube, with the inner end cf said first tube remote from said thermoc=ouple being inserted in and permanently attaehed to one end of said third tube, and a metallic housing coaxially arranged about said plug member whereby 21 cylindrical section of said housing fits into the annular space between said second and third tubes to provide a rigid assembly when said disposable temperature sensing device is brought into operative relationship with said manipulator With the contacts on said plug in mating engagernent With the terminals 0n said third tube.

6. An immersion thermocouple assembly as specified in claim 5 in which the inner surface of the other end of said third tube frictionally engages a tapered projection 011 said manipulator when the latter and said disposable temperature sensing device are brought into operative relationship whereby said third tube then is operative to serve as a shield for a portion of said man-ipulator and t0 add a desirable rigidity and strength to the thermocouple asse-rnbly.

7. An immersiom thermocouple assernbly as specified in claim 4 in which said manipulator includes a handle, mounted at the other end of said pipe, terminals for said thermocouple adjacent said handle, and an evacuated extension wire sub-assembly supported Within said pipe for electrically connecting the contacts on said plug t-o said terminals adjacent said handle.

3. An immersion thermocouple assembly as specified in claim 7 including a two-wire cable adapted for sonnection at one end t 0 a measuring instrument and at the other end .to said terminals adjacent said handle.

9. An immersion thermocouple assembly as specified in claim 7 in which said evacuated extension wire subassernbly comprises a metallic tube, molded plastic terminal c-onnectors providing a seal at each end of said metallic tube, a pair of terminals on each of said connectors, a pair of extension wires extending through said metallic tube With each wire connected at its opposite ends t0 a respec-tively associated terminal on said connectors, and ceramic insulators arranged in said metallic tube to support said extension wires in spaced insulating relation from each other and from t-he inner Wall of said metallic tube.

References Cited by tl1e Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2972,125 2/1961 Ternple et a1 339-183X 2,993,944 7/1961 Silver --1364.7 3,0 24,295 3/1962 Moore 13647 3,038951 6/1962 Mead 1364.7 3,048642 8/1962 Parker 136-4.7 3,169401 2/1965 Newman 73359 WINSTON A. DOUGLAS, Primary Examiner. ISAAC LISANN, Examiner.

S. H. BAZERMAN, A. M. BEKELMAN,

Assistant Exwmz'ners. 

1. A DISPOSABLE TEMPERATURE SENSING DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE TEMPERATURE OF MOLTEN FLUID COMPRISING A USHAPED, REFRACTORY ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE SHEATH, A THERMOCOUPLE COMPRISING A PAIR OF WIRES OF DISSIMILAR METALS JOINED TOGETHER IN SAID SHEATH TO FORM A HOT JUNCTION, A FIBERBOARD TUBE FOR SUPPORTING THE THERMOCOUPLE WITH THE SHEATHED HOT JUNCTION PROJECTING BEYOND THE END OF THE TUBE SO AS TO BE CONTACTED BY THE MOLTEN FLUID WHEN IMMERSED THEREIN, A CYLINDRICAL DISC POSITIONED TRANSVERSELY OF SAID TUBE NEAR THE END THEREOF FROM WHICH SAID THERMOCOUPLE HOT JUNCTION PROJECTS, ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS MOLDED IN SAID DISC AND EXTENDING THROUGH SAID TUBE FOR CONNECTION OF SAID THERMOCOUPLE TO A MEASURING INSTRUMENT, A REFRACTORY, ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE BODY FILLING THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID DISC AND THE SAID END OF SAID TUBE WITH THE ENDS OF SAID SHEATH EMBEDDED IN AND EXTENDING PART WAY ONLY INTO SAID BODY AND WITH A PORTION OF SAID THERMOCOUPLE WIRES AND THE JUNCTION OF SAID THERMOCOUPLE WIRES AND SAID ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS EMBEDDED IN SAID BODY IN CLOSE THERMAL CONTACT THEREWITH, WHEREBY SAID BODY SEALS THE END OF SAID TUBE AND SERVES ALSO AS A HEAT SINK FOR THE PORTIONS OF SAID THERMOCOUPLE EMBEDDED IN SAID BODY, A SECOND FIBERBOARD TUBE, THE OUTER DIAMETER OF SAID SECOND TUBE BEING APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO THE INNER DIAMETER OF SAID FIRST-MENTIONED TUBE, SAID SECOND TUBE BEING INSERTED IN AND PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE END OF SAID FIRST TUBE IMMERSING SAID THERMOCOUPLE WITH SAID CONDUCTOR WIRES FITTING BETWEEN SAID TUBES AND THE ENDS OF SAID WIRES WRAPPED ABOUT SAID SECOND TUBE TO PROVIDE LONGITUDINALLY DISPLCED TERMINALS FOR SAID CONDUCTORS ON THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID SECOND TUBE. 